Power-driven rock-drill



PATENTRD' JANE, 1904.

W. A.; BOX. POWER DRIVBNYWROGK DRILL.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 22. 1901.

2 SIEETSET 1 1850 MODEL.

IIIIIIII ill-w X W a Z e v mm. W.

. mfnesses PATENTED JAN. 6, 1904 W; A.- BOX. POWER-DRIVEN ROCK DRILL.

2 SHEE' Ik-SHEBT 2;

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 22. 1901.

N0 MODEL.

Invcmbr Wig/5M A. BO/Y fine Sses end of which is in screw form and the rear .same, reference being had to the accom panyprove upon the construction .of rock-drills 'tion.

No. 748,693 r UNTTED STATES Patented January 5, 1904:.

PATENT OFFICE.

WILLlAM A. BOX, OF DENVER, COLORADO, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO EUGENE Y. SAYER, .05 DENVER, COLORADO.

POWER-DRIVEN ROCK-DRILL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 748,693, dated anuary 5, 1904.

Application filed March 22, 1901.

To rtZl whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM A. BOX, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Denver, in the county of Arapahoe and State of Colorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Power-Driven Rock-Drills; and I do declare the following'to be a full, clear, and exact description of my invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the ing drawings, forming a part of this specification,in which similar letters ofreference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

My invention relates to a movable powerdriven rock-drill to be used for perforating rock for the purpose of providing holes to receive charges of explosives.

The objects of my invention are to imheretofore in use and to increase the efficiency of operation of such drills with strength and simplicity'of parts.

Further objects of my invention will hereinafter appear; and to these ends my invention consists in means for carrying out the above objects constructed and having the general mode of-operation substantially as hereinafter fully described, and shown in the accompauyingdrawings, in which- Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal crosssection of my invention, showing the hammer in section, the chuck supporting the drill-shank and the connecting-rod in eleva- Fig. 2 is a cross-section along line as. of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a horizontal cross-section showing the shaft and crank, the beveled gear,the longitudinal'shaft, the pinion-wheel, the spur-wheel, the chuck, the drill-hit,'and the hammer in plan view. Fig. 4 is a crosssection alonglinect aof Fig. 3, showing insection the rope-sheaves attached to the shaft. Fig. 5 is a cross-section along lineb b of Fig. 3, showing the pinion-wheel and the spurwheel.

A represents theshell or casing, which is composed of three parts, the principal longitudinal part and two end pieces, the front end in the form of a cap secured to the main longitudinal part by means of four bolts A,

Serial No. 52,310. (No model.)

A A and A This shell or casing A is adapted to contain and. support the mechanism. The lower part of the shell or casing A is provided with lugs which have extension-flanges, (indicated by A and A.) These extension flanges operate in the grooves of the guide and supporting frame (indicated by A',) which is secured by means of any suitable adjustable clamp to the post or column designed to support the entire device in position for operating in the drift or tunnel. The backw'ard'and forward movement of the shell or casing within the guide and supporting frame A is derived by means of the nut A through which passes the screw A to the rear end of which is attached the crank-handle A Apertures (designated by A ,A ,A and A) are provided in the main shell or casingA, allowing a free egress and ingress of air into the shell or casing. A movable cap (designated by A is provided in the topof the shell or casing to facilitate oiling the mechanism.

B represents the shaft, provided with the crank B, revolving in the journal-bearings, (designated by B and B These bearings are kept in place by means of the bolt attachment of the cap forming a part of the shell or casing A. p

0 represents the connecting-rod, which is secured to the crank B in any ordinary manner.

D indicates the cylindrical slide or plunger, which is attached to the connecting-rod C by means of the pin designated by D. This cylindrical slide or plunger is hollow and is provided at one end with the screw head or cap D E represents the piston, constitutinga hammer which is provided with the stem E, designed to pass through the head or cap D into the chamber of the cylindrical slide D,

and is supplied with a circular collar E near the end extending into the cylindrical slide, which is attached to said stem by means of a pin E The space between this circular collar and the head D can be provided with a. spiral spring or with a rubber or composition washer, whichever is found most practical and efficient.

G represents the beveled gear-wheel which is secured to the shaft B and operates in connection with another beveled gear-wheel,

(designated by G,) which is attached to the shaft G which operates in journal-bearings at points indicated by G and G The opposite end of the shaft G2 is provided with the pinion-wheel, (indicated by G H represents a chuck operating freely within a circular aperture provided in the frontend-closing screw forming part of the main casing A. Attached to this chuck H is the spur-wheel H, which meshes with the pinionwheel, (designated by G and by this means the chuck H is revolved. An extension-flange H is provided on the inner end of the chuck, being of the same relative size as is the similar extension-flange provided on the hammer and designated by E, which provides a base to receive the stroke of the hammer should the shank of the drill not be in position to receive it.

I represents the shank of the drill, which slides in the aperture provided in the chuck H and is constructed so that it will rotate simultaneously with the said chuck. It is generally made square, as is also the aperture in the chuck in which it is inserted. A collar (designated by l) is secured to the drill-bit, which prevents the drill from passing into the shell or casing farther than is required as the collar comes in contact with the outer end of the chuck H. A rubber or composition washer (designated by J)'is pro vided between the spur-wheel H and the inner surface of the end-closing screw forming part of the main shell or casing A, which will prevent any detrimental effect to the machinery should the hammer strike the extension- .flange H provided on the spur-wheel H, in-

stead of striking the shank of the drill should it not be in position to receive the blow. The means by which the air is allowed to escape from the shell or casing of the drill when the hammer is making the stroke is provided by the apertures indicated by A and A hereinbefore referred to, and such provision is necessary, as otherwise the air would be compressed when the hammer is making the strike. Provision is also made for admitting air into the shell or casing to be compressed for the next stroke by means of the apertures indicated by A and A. These apertures allow a supply of air to enter the casing between the cylindrical slide and the hammer after each stroke.

It is now obvious that when a power-driven rock-drill has been constructed according to the foregoing the successful operation of same will be manifestly as follows: The machine is attached to a column orstandard by means of an adjustable clamp. The column is provided with leveling-screws in the ordinary manner. I do not claim anything on the manner of attaching my invention to the column. Power is applied to the driving pulley or sheave, which is attached to the shaft (designated by B) either by a rope or belt. The crank B, which is provided on the shaft B, can be revolved in either direction, thus conveying a reciprocating movement to the cylindrical slide D as the said slide is connected with the crank by means of the rod, (indicated by 0,) to which it is attached by the provision of the pin, (designated by D'.) It can be readily comprehended that a cam or eccentric can be used to convey the reciprocating motion to the cylindrical slide D instead of using the crank and the connectingrod, as illustratedand described. As the cylindrical slide or piston (designated by D) moves forward it closes the air-holes in the main shell or casing A indicated by A and A and compresses the air in the space indicated by K, thus causing the piston or hammer E to move forward with a quick stroke, striking the drill-shank (designated by I) in a very forcible and effective manner. The device isso constructed that the bit of the drill can at all times be held firmly against the rock to be cut by means of the sliding adjusting device formed by the support and guide A the nut A the screw A and the crank-handle A The process of striking the drill properly and reciprocating the hammer makes the blow and the cutting qualities much more effective than would be the case were the drill reciprocated with the hammer. This is one of the essential features of my invention. On the return movement of the cylindrical slide or piston the circular collar (designated by E attached to the stem E of the hammer E draws the hammer backward to the position from which it began the forward movement in making the strike. The apertures A and A in the casing A allow free ingress and egress of air into and out of the space designated by L in front of the hammer. The alternate compression and vacuum of the air will operate to successfully reciprocate the hammer'i. e., the compression causing the strike and the vacuum returning the hammer to its normal position from which point the forward movement which causes the strike begins, making it manifestly possible and practical to dispense with the stem E, which is attached to the hammer E, and with the collar E which is provided on the end of the stem in the hollow part of the cylindrical slide, (indicated by D.) In order to obviate any danger of inefficient working of the hammer at any time under difierent conditions, I have'provided the stem and the collar, though I do not wish to confine myself to any one mode of construction, but desire to vary the construction in any manner and make it as found most practical and efficient for the uses and purposes for which it is adapted.

Itwill thus be seen according to my invention the tool, the piston or hammer, and the ton, so that the piston or hammer is moved forward to strike the tool as the plunger moves forward and is retracted as the plu nger moves backward. The plunger controls the apertures or valve-openings A A, whereby the compression of the air is obtained and the vacuum caused.

According to my construction I dispense entirely with auxiliary air-pumps and fluid operating machinery for actuating the drillhammer, because my rock-drill is at the same time a compressor and a hammer actuated drill all in one complete mechanism.

Rock-drills have heretofore been constructed whereby the ham mer is actuated by means of a spring or springs alternately placed under compression and set free, and air cushioning devices have been used to prevent concussion of the parts between a plunger and a piston mechanically connected to the tool-shank. I do not claim constructions such as these, nor do I claim a construction wherein the reciprocating piston constituting the hammer is actuated by means of an auxiliary and separate fluid-operating mechanism.

Without limiting myself to the construction shown and described, since my invention may be embodied in widelyvarying forms and because obviously some features of my invention may be used without others, I claim, and desire to obtain by Letters Patcut, the following:

1. In a power-driven rock-drill, the combination of a casing, a rotatable tool supported thereby, a piston movable in the casing independently of the tool and constituting a hammer for striking the tool, an independently-movable plunger located in the casing axially in line with the piston and behind the same, and means for reciprocating the plunger in the casing behind said piston to alternately compress the air behind the piston and cause a vacuum behind the same, whereby the piston is actuated to strike the tool and return at each stroke of the plunger, substantially as described.

2. In a power-driven rock-drill, the combination of a casing, a tool supported thereby, a piston provided witha stem and collar, and movable in the casing independently of the tool constituting a hammer for striking the tool, an independently-movable hollow plunger, and means for reciprocating it in the casing behind the piston, the stem of the piston and collar thereon extending into said hollow plunger, said casing being provided with valve-apertu res controlled by the movements of the plunger to alternately cause compression of the air behind the piston and to cause a vacuum behind the same for actuating the piston to strike the tool and return at each stroke of the plunger, substantially as described.

3. In a power-driven rock-drill, the combination of a casing, a tool supported thereby, a piston provided witha stem and collar, and

movable in the casing independently of the tool constituting a hammer for striking the tool, an independently movable hollow plunger, one endof which is closed by a cap or head provided with an aperture, means for reciprocating said plunger in the casing behind the piston, the stem of the piston extending through the aperture in the cap or head on the plunger, whereby the plunger cooperates with said collar on the stem to assist in returning'the piston after it has been actuated to strike the tool, said casing being provided with valve-apertures controlled by the movements of the plunger to alternately cause compression of the airin the space between the cap or head on the plungerand the piston, and to cause a vacuum in said space for actuating the piston to strike the tool and return at each stroke of the plunger, substantially as described.

4. In a power-driven rock-drill, the combination of a casing, a tool supported by the casing, a plunger provided with an apertured cap or head, and means forreciprocating said plunger in the casing, a piston provided with a stem extending through the aperture in said cap or head and having a collar connected thereto within the plunger, whereby the plunger and collar cooperate to assistin withdrawing the piston after it has been moved to strike the tool, said tool and piston and plunger being each movableindependently of the other, and means whereby the air behind the piston is alternately compressed and a vacuum formed at each stroke of the plunger, substantially as set forth.

5. In a power-d riven rock-drill, the combination of a casing having valve-apertures, a rotatable tool, a piston or hammer movable independently of the tool within the casing, and means for actuating said piston to strike the tool and return, said actuating means consisting of an independently movable plunger reciprocating in the casing axially in line behind the piston and controlling the said valve-apertures in the casing, whereby the piston is forced forward. by compression of the air upon forward movement of the plunger, and said piston is moved backward by the formation of a vacuum behind it upon backward movement of the plunger, substantially as described. 7

6. In a power-driven rock-drill, the combination of a casing, a plunger movable therein and provided with a screw head or cap, means for reciprocating said plunger, a piston constituting a hammer and provided with a stem adapted to pass through the screwhead of the plunger and having a circular collar attached thereto within the plunger, a chuck revoluble in a hearing at the front of the casing, a gear rotatable with said chuck, a pinion meshing with said gear, and means for revolving said pinion, and a tool, the shank of which extends through the chuck into the casing to a position to receive the stroke of the piston, said tool, and plunger and piston being each movable independently of the other, substantially as set forth.

7. In a power-driven rock-drill, the combination of the casing mounted upon a suitable advancing guide and supporting frame, a shaft provided with a crank journaled in suitablejournal-bearings, a connecting-rod, a cylindrical plunger connected with said crank by means of the connectingrod, Which connection is adapted to cause a reciprocating motion of said plunger, a piston or hammer adapted to be actuated with alternate strokes of the plunger and operated by means of the alternate compression of the air and the vacuum caused by the reciprocating movement of the plunger, a chuck adapted to rotate in a hearing at the front-end-closing screw of the said casing, a spur-wheel attached to said chuck and operating Within said casing, an extension flange extending inwardly and forming a part of said chuck adapted to receive the stroke of the hammer and protect the wheel and the mechanism should the drill-shank not be in position to receive it, an elastic washer provided between the inner surface of the end-closing screw and said spurwheel adapted to protect the machinery, a collar provided on the'drill adapted to prevent the drill-shank from extending into the casing farther than to the position required to receive the stroke, a pinion meshing with the said spur-wheel, a shaft to which said pinion is attached operating in suitable journal-bearings and beveled gear-Wheels one of which is attached to the driving-shaft meshing with the one which is attached to the shaft to which the pinion is secured and adapted to furnish a rotary movement to the said chuck and drill-bit, substantially as described.

8. In a drilling-machine, the combination of a casing, a head and hammer sliding in axial alinement substantially air-tight therein, means for reciprocating the head to alternately compress the air behind the hammer and cause a vacuum behind the same, whereby the hammer is actuated to strike the tool and return at each stroke of the plunger, provision being afforded thereby for dilferent movements of the hammer from those of both the tool and the head, and means for rotating and holding the tool in position to be struck by the hammer, for substantially the purposes set forth.

9. In combination in the hammer-actuating mechanism of a machine for drilling and other uses, a reciprocating head, a guideway therefor, a rotary means for driving the head, and connections for converting rotary motion into reciprocating motion of the said head, a reciprocating hammer arranged in axial alinement with the said head, and a casing affording provision for the confinement of a body of air between the head and the hammer, for substantially the purposes set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I hereunto subscribe my name in the presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM A. BOX.

Witnesses:

MATTIE E. KEINMIUS, FRANCES MONTGOMERY. 

